The Writing Code

Originally aired on PBS, the vibrant and fascinating three-part series The Writing Code (individual programs are also available for $195 each)—from filmmakers Gene Searchinger, Suzanne Bauman, and Norman C. Berns—traces the origin and history of writing, while also assessing its central role in culture. The first program, The Greatest Invention, crowns writing as humankind's most significant achievement, while also looking at the creation of different writing systems, including the cuneiform symbols of ancient Mesopotamia, the Phoenician alphabet adapted by the Greeks, Chinese pictographs, and the Cherokee syllabary. Part two, The Art and the Craft, focuses on the various tools used in writing, from clay tablets and papyrus to typewriters and word processors, and discusses the myriad of literary forms along with grammatical matters. The final program, The Literate Society, considers the social ramifications of expanding literacy, especially at the dawn of the age of the Internet, which represents a revolution comparable to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. The wealth of information presented over the course of this series is remarkable—viewers see the manufacture of papyrus and paper, learn how the Rosetta Stone served as the key to unlocking the meaning of hieroglyphics, and hear how different intonations of a Chinese word alter its meaning, among other tidbits—all presented with verve, and backed by witty observations from writers such as Elmore Leonard, Margaret Atwood, and Quincy Troupe, as well as more commentary by a host of academics/theoreticians including Stephen Pinker, Mark Aronoff, and Tim Berners-Lee, all backed by a wide range of visuals. Skillfully edited and energetically paced, The Writing Code is highly recommended. (F. Swietek)